Stop dieting! It's time to enjoy life, be healthy and have fun. I can show you how.

Ch-ch-ch-chia

Yes, you probably want to start singing the jingle from the commercial: Ch-ch-ch-chia (pet). But did you know you can eat this seed? Chia seeds were used by the Aztecs and Mayans because of their high nutritional value. These tiny, but impactful seeds are high in dietary fiber and a good source of protein, making them an ancient super food. Because they gel up, they cause a bulking effect, so they help with weight loss because they make you feel fuller quicker. 3 tbsp. of chia have 150 calories, 9 grams of fat, 0 grams cholesterol, 5 mg of sodium 13 grams of carbohydrates – 11 of which are all fiber, 0 grams of sugar and 5 grams of protein. So, as you can see, it would be beneficial to add to your diet. You can throw them in your smoothies, yogurt, salad and just about anything you can think of.

I love putting chia seeds in my smoothies and on my salad. The only thing I find that I have a problem with is they gel up and get stuck in my teeth ahaha so I need to use the water pick after I eat. Spiro doesn't seem to have that problem though. I kept seeing recipes for chia pudding and I finally tried it. Let me tell you, I wasn't impressed. I could never get the chia to gel up, no matter how long I waited. It was one day when I was making chia eggs (1 tbsp. chia to 3 tbsp. water) as an egg replacement that it hit me! Why not try to crush them? So, that's what I did, and guess what? They jelled right up. So, that's the trick. Now I make chia pudding a lot and I make it with so many different ingredients. In this photo, I used the chia seeds, almond milk and PB2 (powdered peanut butter), layered it with bananas and topped it off with raw cacao nibs. Play around with it and see what you like. Just remember, a little chia goes a long way. Here's a basic recipe for you. Leave me a comment if you've tried chia pudding before and what your favorite recipe is.

For 1-2 servings:

1 cup coconut, almond, or hemp milk

2-3 tablespoons chia seeds

1 banana

½ cup blueberries (frozen are OK)

Handful of almonds or walnuts, if desired

Cinnamon, to taste

Mix all the ingredients together and let them sit in the refrigerator for a few minutes. Stir after a few minutes, as the chia is “gelling” into a pudding-like consistency. Let it sit in the refrigerator about 20 minutes or until ready to eat.

If you find the pudding too thick, you can add more milk or a little water. If you find the pudding too thin, add more chia or any of the other ingredients to make it thicker. You really can’t go wrong with chia pudding, which is why I love making it so much.

Here's a few more nutritional facts of this powerful little seed. According to Dr. Andrew Weil, chia is very rich in omega-3 fatty acids and provides fiber as well as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, molybdenum, niacin, and zinc.

Another great benefit of chia seeds is that they are good for travel. Pack them in your suitcase and have them readily available to make chia pudding for breakfast or a snack in your hotel room. You can also pack travel size containers of almond milk (if checking luggage), as well as nuts and just pick up fresh fruit in your destination city.

Comments

So where in the world do you buy these? Someplace like Whole Foods Market or something? I guess I’ve never heard of them before so I wouldn’t have even known to look for them in the store. I like the idea of the pudding for watching my sweet intake plus filling me up so it’s a win win there girl.

You’re pretty awesome yourself. You can get them at health food stores, online or even in the heath food section of your grocery store. Many grocery stores are carrying them now. These really are super good for you. I’ve been eating them for years. Try them on your salad too. There’s really not much flavor, it absorbs the flavor from what ever you put them in. I know in Mexico, they make a “soda” out of them. It’s always great to hear from you. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Lisa

Haha! They never jelled for me either. I ended up getting them stuck in my teeth. I was putting them raw on my oatmeal til I found out from a doctor that they could cut holes in your intestines and cause diverticulitis. I had to find out how to jel this bag that I have and you gave me the solution.

I’m cracking up. I thought I was the only one that got them stuck in my teeth. Actually, I’ve heard the opposite of what your doctor told you. The chia seed gels up and actually helps clean the intestines. It’s used to prevent diverticulitus and IBS. Here’s a really good article that explains it. http://www.ibsgroup.org/forums/topic/141107-the-amazing-chia-seed/ LOL Sorry about the song being stuck in your head. Ya, crushing the is the trick to jelling them for sure. Have an awesome day. Lisa